ADULTS are being offered free courses in English and maths to help them get work or promotion.

Bury Council is backing the new National Test, aimed at those who are penalised in the job market for not having GCSEs in these subjects.

After taking a short course, people can sit a brief exam in the new nationally recognised qualification, at the same level as GCSE. The test is one hour for literacy and 75 minutes for numeracy.

Taster sessions in English will be held on February 9 at Radcliffe Adult Centre from 9.30am to 12.30pm, and on February 10 at Ramsbottom Adult Centre from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

Maths is on February 9 from 6.30pm to 9.30pm at Bury Arts and Crafts Centre.